Chapter 4

Author's note: Thank you all for your patience! I'm leaving this week for vacation and I wanted to post something before I left. I plan to work on this while I'm away so look for a post in two weeks! :-) Thank you for all of your reviews and encouragement! This conversation was tough, but I think I got a little bit of both characters, let me know if it's too OOC ~B2

Steeling herself, Kate moves toward the study. Michael said this was soundproof, will he hear if I knock? Why is this so damn complicated? I was supposed to just tell him at the party and then we were supposed to come up here together. He would have shown me how to get him.

As it was she had taken so long to figure herself out, the door to the study opens, and a sleepy-eyed Castle emerges. Turning blindly he hits a panel and a touch screen is revealed, "Damn woman left all the-"

"Castle." She breathes it so lightly that if his body hadn't tensed she would have thought it was too soft and he didn't hear her.

Slowly he turns, rubbing a hand over his eyes in disbelief at the vision before him. "I must still be dreaming; Nikki Heat is in my living room." A nervous smile lights her face as she leans down, removing her stilettos, enjoying the feel of the cool wood beneath her bare feet.

"Nikki's not here Castle, just me."

"Kate." He breathes her first name like a prayer and takes a few steps toward her. Stopping abruptly he looks around warily, waiting to wake up and for the whole thing to fade away. "Gina?" His eyes travel behind her taking in the glass shards lying on his living room floor.

"She's not here either Castle, Nikki sent her packing." A full blown smile appears on his face, taking the last few steps he stands before her and takes her hands in his. "Thank God! You know, not even halfway up here I realized that I'd made a horrible mistake. She had interrupted us and I never let you finish. She drove me crazy within the first hour."

"But she said you…hmpffst." Tutting, Castle lifts his finger to her lips, still clasping her hand.

"Now Detective Katherine Beckett, I have two things to say and then you will tell me all about this surprising yet welcome visit. First, I want you to understand that whatever she said is most likely a lie. From the moment we got here I locked myself in the study. I only came out when I knew she was by the pool or asleep. My bag is even still in there. So trust me, whatever she told you, it was pure fiction to further her own purpose. And the second thing you must know is that you are always welcome, wherever I am." He emphasizes the comment with a charming Castle smile and stands looking at her expectantly, waiting.

"Well…I…That is…Castle?" His smile grows at her nervousness.

"Yes Kate?"

"Can we sit? I feel a little off kilter without my heels." Her laughing eyes tease him and he chuckles. Taking her elbow he guides her around the shattered glass to the couch. Smirking he pats the seat beside him, meeting her gaze with smiling eyes. "Why of course Detective. What was so important you had to do God knows what to come see me and employ Nikki Heat to chase away my ex?" Emphasis on ex. "For that matter, how did you manage to get in here?"

Drawing a steadying breath Beckett dives in. Damn him for being so stinkin cocky.

"Ok, I need you to promise not to interrupt, promise me Castle." At his nod she continues. "I came up here to tell you that I broke up with Demming. Obviously we did not go away for the weekend at the beach. I'm up here at this God-forsaken hour to talk to you about…" She hesitates momentarily losing her confidence in his reaction. Nudging her knee with his, Castle encourages her to go on, his face completely serious at her words, even as his eyes flash with hope. Oh Fuck it. "I'm here to see…talk about…Us."

He swallows, raising an eyebrow, "Us?" Us? What about us, does she not want me to consult anymore? No way, she wouldn't come up here to tell me that. Glancing at her, he sees that she's nervous about whatever is she's trying to say, looking everywhere, but at him. Ohhhh. Us! This could prove to be very interesting.

Nice Fireplace. The view from the kitchen must be amazing. What kind of wood is that? Her eyes flit from side to side before coming to rest uneasily on his chin. Speaking softly she decides to put it all on the line. It's what I came up here to do. I was miserable at home.

"Recent circumstances have brought some things into focus." Finding courage she raises her eyes to his. "I've always been good at holding myself away from people. You call it playing on the safe side. I always thought that's what I had to do to get my job done. But then you came barreling in, pulling my pigtails, ignoring instructions, challenging me, frustrating me, putting yourself directly in my path and I couldn't get around you." She smiles softly before continuing. "You slowly drove me insane to the point where now my morning coffee doesn't taste right without the sweetness of your smile as you hand it to me." Ducking his head he opens his mouth to speak, but she shakes her head. "There's more."

Lifting her right hand from his grasp she strokes the smile crinkle that appears by his eye at her words with her thumb. "I came up here to finish what I was trying to tell you the night you left with Gina. I felt that I owed it to both of us, no more assumptions, no more double meanings. Just this." Here it goes. She gasps a breath, her heart beating rapidly at the thought of her confession. "You upset my apple cart, and I have no desire to collect my apples until I know that I have you."

His gaze searches hers as he absorbs her words. ...until I know that I have you. Reaching out he pulls her to him, meeting her soft lips with his own in a sweet affirming kiss. Pulling back slowly he smiles, "Don't ever doubt that you have me."

Sighing she leans into the comfort of his embrace, stealing another quick kiss before she continues. "So to answer your other question, I had no idea how to find you. Calling you was out, so I called Alexis. I told her what happened and she jumped right into my planning. I was just going to drive up, but she insisted on sending Michael to bring me to your doorstep…" Note to self, raise her allowance or maybe she'd like a shopping spree…Hmmm. Gotta do something for Michael too, oh and see if he has a story to tell me. Wait she's still talking, something about being soundproof…

"Oh! Yes, the study is soundproof, and no I wouldn't have heard you knocking. I'll show you how to work the intercom." Then striving for nonchalance he asked, "Did you want to tell me what happened with Gina?" Don't look curious, don't look curious.

Beckett shrugged and mumbled into his shoulder. "I went Nikki Heat on her ass. But you had better finish that book; I don't feel like dealing with her again." It was draining. Watching her face closely, he could see she was tired. Looking at his watch he realized it was after 1 o'clock. Kissing her forehead and then trailing kisses lightly down her jaw he could feel her smile against his lips. "I promise I will finish the book posthaste. It's late Kate. I think I should take you to bed. You're falling asleep on me. And while I am not opposed to the idea I'd rather it was in my bed. And after some very naughty activities, but not tonight. Tonight is just us being us. Being here. Finally. Together.

"What makes you think I'm sleeping in your bed, Castle? She groans sleepily. God she looks so cute all curled up. I'm allowed to think she's cute right? Maybe cute isn't the word I should use if I'm going to ask her about it. She might have her gun hidden somewhere. Chucking softly he moves out from under her, she watches lazily from the couch as he returns to the study, emerging moments later with a large garment bag slung over his shoulder. Revealing the panel again he touches the screen in various places and lights around her begin to flicker off, eventually the only light shining is illuminating the staircase.

Stepping over to the couch he shakes her shoulder. "Beckett? Kate. Do I need to carry you upstairs like Alexis?"

She stirs, slowing unfolding from the warmth of the couch. "I'm coming."

Slipping his arm around her waist they make their way upstairs. "So, where's your bag?" Frowning down at her he asks, "You did bring a bag, right? Or if not I can get you a shirt to sleep in…" You'd be adorable in the blue one I have in mind…

Her brow furrows. "No, no. I brought a bag, but I'm not sure where Michael put it. He took it upstairs when we first got here."

"Well, we'll just have to find it then. It'll be a fun game of hide and seek." If he's smart, I know where it is, but for now we'll just play a little.